Business leaders from Walsall-based home assistance company, HomeServe, have been working with a group of Black Country students to help them learn the ropes about succeeding in the world of business. An eight-strong team of HomeServe volunteers was on hand to judge a host of “inspirational” business ideas, put forward by pupils from a number of Black Country schools as part of the area finals of the Young Enterprise Company Programme, held recently at Wolverhampton University.
The Young Enterprise Company Programme project aims to make the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed in the world of business.
The next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders came together for the Young Enterprise area final to showcase their business ideas – ranging from social enterprises and revision aides to food and fashion. This year teams represented the Ace Academy (Tipton), Heath Park School (Wolverhampton), Queen Mary’s School (Walsall), Joseph Leckie Academy (Walsall), The Kingswinford School (Dudley), Walsall Academy (Walsall) and Windsor High School (Halesowen).
“Some of the business ideas the students came up with this year were nothing short of inspirational”, said John Greaves, HomeServe’s Brand Director, said: “As the largest employer in Walsall, we are keen supporters of our local community and really enjoy giving back, especially when it comes to sharing our business experience with the next generation. We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic pool of potential talent right here in the Black Country. Who knows, one day they could even be leading HomeServe!”
The winning team in this year’s regional Young Enterprise final was ReviseWise from Windsor High School with their idea for an online revision hub complete with revision booklets. They will now go on to a regional competition, facing other area winning schools from across the region. If they are then successful, they will move on to a national final, which will be broadcast on national television.
The ReviseWise team will also be visiting HomeServe’s offices in the coming weeks to spend time with staff and get the advice of senior leaders on the next steps for their business.
Kamran Hussain, Young Enterprise Manager for the Black Country, Birmingham and Solihull, said: “The Company Programme is a valuable programme, teaching young people the basics of business – not in a classroom setting, but in a wonderfully entertaining format. The students each year validate the value of the programme – talented, creative and hardworking young people, all of whom are making a great success of their businesses.”
